History of Boston in Timeline

Boston, the capital and most populous city of Massachusetts, is the cultural and financial hub of New England. With an area of 48.4 sq mi (125 km2), it had a population of 675,647 in 2020, ranking as the third-most populous city in the Northeastern United States. The Greater Boston metropolitan area is the largest in New England and the eleventh-largest in the United States, with a population of 4.9 million in 2023.

1901: Red Sox Founding Member of the American League

In 1901, the Boston Red Sox became a founding member of the American League of Major League Baseball.

1903: First Modern World Series Game in Boston

In 1903, Boston was the site of the first game of the first modern World Series, played between the Boston Americans and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1903: Unfounded Reports of Team Name as Boston Pilgrims

In 1903, persistent reports suggested the team was known as the "Boston Pilgrims," but these appear unfounded.

1906: Construction of the Longfellow Bridge

In 1906, the Longfellow Bridge was built and later featured in Robert McCloskey's "Make Way for Ducklings".

July 4, 1911: Record High Temperature

On July 4, 1911, the record high temperature in Boston was 104 °F (40 °C).

1911: Team Name: Beaneaters

Until 1911, Boston's first professional baseball team was known as the Beaneaters.

1912: Team Name: Braves

In 1912, Boston's first professional baseball team changed its name to the Braves.

1912: Opening of Fenway Park

In 1912, Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, opened.

1912: Fenway Park Built

In 1912, Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox, was built. It is the oldest sports arena or stadium in active use in the United States among the four major professional American sports leagues.

1912: Annexation of Hyde Park

In 1912, the city annexed the town of Hyde Park.

1916: MIT's Move to Cambridge

In 1916, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) relocated from Boston across the Charles River to Cambridge.

December 30, 1917: Record Cold Daily Maximum

On December 30, 1917, the record cold daily maximum in Boston was 2 °F (−17 °C).

September 8, 1923: Opening of Logan International Airport

On September 8, 1923, Logan International Airport opened.

1928: Opening of the Boston Garden

In 1928, the Boston Garden opened.

February 9, 1934: Record Low Temperature

On February 9, 1934, the record low temperature in Boston was -18 °F (-28 °C).

November 15, 1934: Kennedy Sr. Speaks to the Boston Chamber of Commerce

On November 15, 1934, Kennedy Sr. addressed the Boston Chamber of Commerce, warning against deceptive practices in security sales and cautioning the radio audience.

1952: Braves Move to Milwaukee

After the 1952 season, the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee.

1953: Construction of Columbia Point public housing complex

In 1953, the massive Columbia Point public housing complex was built in Dorchester, adjoining the Columbia Point Health Center.

1957: Establishment of the Boston Redevelopment Authority

In 1957, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) was established to initiate urban renewal projects in response to Boston's economic decline.

1957: Coldest temperature since 1957

On February 4, 2023, the temperature in Boston dipped to −10 °F (−23 °C), the lowest since 1957.

1958: BRA's West End Project

In 1958, the BRA initiated a project to improve the historic West End neighborhood, leading to extensive demolition and public opposition.

1960: Founding of the Boston Patriots

In 1960, the New England Patriots were founded as the Boston Patriots. The team later changed its name after relocating to suburban Foxborough.

1965: Opening of Columbia Point Health Center

In 1965, the Columbia Point Health Center opened in Dorchester as the first Community Health Center in the United States.

1966: Braves Move to Atlanta

In 1966, the team that originated in Boston as the Red Stockings, then the Beaneaters, then the Braves, relocated to Atlanta and became the Atlanta Braves.

1971: Patriots Relocation to Foxborough

In 1971, the Boston Patriots relocated to suburban Foxborough. They have played there ever since.

1974: Desegregation Busing Conflict

In 1974, Boston experienced conflict over desegregation busing, leading to unrest and violence around public schools throughout the mid-1970s.

August 2, 1975: Record Warm Daily Minimum

On August 2, 1975, the record warm daily minimum in Boston was 83 °F (28 °C).

1984: Redevelopment of Columbia Point Complex

From 1984 to 1990, the Columbia Point complex was redeveloped into a mixed-income residential development called Harbor Point Apartments.

1990: High Murder Rate in Boston

In 1990, Boston recorded 152 murders, resulting in a murder rate of 26.5 per 100,000 people.

1990: Rededication of the Geiger-Gibson Community Health Center

In 1990, the Columbia Point Health Center was rededicated as the Geiger-Gibson Community Health Center.

1991: Publication of The Improper Bostonian

In 1991, The Improper Bostonian, a glossy lifestyle magazine, began publication.

1991: Start of Central Artery/Tunnel Project

In 1991, the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, also known as the "Big Dig", began.

1993: Acquisition of The Boston Globe

In 1993, The Boston Globe was acquired by The New York Times.

1999: Significant Drop in Murders in Boston

In 1999, murders in Boston dropped to 31, with none being juveniles, resulting in a murder rate of 5.26 per 100,000, a decline from 152 in 1990.

2000: Boston Becomes Majority Minority

In 2000, the non-Hispanic White population in Boston decreased to 49.5%, marking the first time the city became a majority-minority city.

2001: Super Bowl Win

Following the 2001 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2001: Patriots Win Championship

In 2001, the New England Patriots won a championship.

2003: Super Bowl Win

Following the 2003 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2003: Patriots Win Championship

In 2003, the New England Patriots won a championship.

2004: Super Bowl Win

Following the 2004 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2004: Acquisition of FleetBoston Financial

In 2004, FleetBoston Financial was acquired by Charlotte-based Bank of America.

2004: Red Sox and Patriots Win Championships

In 2004, both the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots won championships.

2006: Founding of The Rainbow Times

In 2006, The Rainbow Times, the only minority and lesbian-owned LGBT news magazine, was founded. It is now based out of Boston and serves all of New England.

2006: Non-Hispanic Whites Reclaim Majority Status (estimated)

In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that non-Hispanic Whites had again formed a slight majority in Boston, following a period of gentrification.

2007: First Climate Action Plan

In 2007, Boston commissioned its first climate action plan covering carbon reduction.

2007: Red Sox Win Championship

In 2007, the Boston Red Sox won a championship.

2007: Completion of the Big Dig

In 2007, the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, known as the Big Dig, was completed after many delays and cost overruns.

2007: Completion of Central Artery/Tunnel Project

The Central Artery/Tunnel Project (Big Dig) ran from 1991 to 2007, resulting in the removal of the elevated Central Artery and incorporation of new green spaces.

2008: Start Year of American Community Survey Data

Data is from the American Community Survey's five-year estimates 2008–2012.

2008: Celtics Win Championship

In 2008, the Boston Celtics won a championship.

2009: Christian Science Monitor ends daily print publication

In 2009, The Christian Science Monitor, headquartered in Boston, ended publication of daily print editions. The newspaper switched to continuous online and weekly magazine format publications.

2010: Rebound of Non-White Population

As of 2010, Boston experienced a rebound in its non-White population, influenced by factors such as the housing crash, increased affordable housing efforts, and growing Latin American and Asian populations.

2010: Religious Denominations in Greater Boston

In 2010, the Catholic Church was the largest denomination in the Greater Boston area, with over two million members. The Episcopal Church had 58,000 adherents, and the United Church of Christ had 55,000 members.

2010: Population increase

In the 2020 census, Boston was estimated to have 691,531 residents living in 266,724 households—a 12% population increase over 2010.

July 2011: Launch of Bluebikes

In late July 2011, the bikeshare program Bluebikes, originally called Hubway, was launched. PBSC Urban Solutions provides bicycles and technology for this bike-sharing system.

2011: Population Statistics

In 2011, 21.9% of Boston's population was aged 19 and under, 14.3% was from 20 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% was 65 years of age or older.

2011: Ethnic Composition of Boston

In 2011, African-Americans comprised 22% of Boston's population. The second-largest ethnic group was of Irish descent at 15.8%, followed by Italians at 8.3%. West Indian and Caribbean ancestry groups collectively made up over 15% of the population.

2011: Median Household Income and Poverty Levels

In 2011, Boston's median household income was $51,739, and the median family income was $61,035. There were also notable income disparities between male and female workers. 21.4% of the population lived below the poverty line, with a significant racial wealth gap between White Bostonians and Black and Dominican residents.

2011: Tourism Revenue in Boston

In 2011, Boston's tourism sector saw 21.2 million domestic and international visitors, generating $8.3 billion in spending.

2011: Update to Climate Action Plan

In 2011, an updated version of the climate action plan was released.

2011: Bruins Win Championship

In 2011, the Boston Bruins won a championship.

2011: Low Snowfall Winter

The winter of 2011-12 saw only 9.3 in (23.6 cm) of accumulating snow.

2012: End Year of American Community Survey Data

Data is from the American Community Survey's five-year estimates 2008–2012.

2012: Elizabeth Warren Elected to the Senate

In 2012, Democrat Elizabeth Warren was first elected as the state's senior member of the United States Senate.

2012: American Community Survey Data Collection Start

In 2012, data collection began for the 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, providing insights into the largest ancestry groups in Boston.

April 15, 2013: Boston Marathon Bombing

On April 15, 2013, two Chechen Islamist brothers detonated bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three and injuring roughly 264 people.

2013: Boston Philanthropy Rate

As of 2013, Boston households provided the highest average rate of philanthropy in the nation.

2013: Ed Markey Elected to the Senate

In 2013, Democrat Ed Markey was elected as the state's junior member of the United States Senate, succeeding John Kerry.

2013: Introduction of Renew Boston Whole Building Incentive

In 2013, Mayor Thomas Menino introduced the Renew Boston Whole Building Incentive, which reduces the cost of living in energy-efficient buildings.

2013: Resale of The Boston Globe

In 2013, The Boston Globe was resold to Boston businessman John W. Henry, reversing its 1993 acquisition by The New York Times.

2013: NIH Grants Received by Greater Boston Institutions

In 2013, hospitals, universities, and research institutions in Greater Boston received over $1.77 billion in National Institutes of Health grants, surpassing any other American metropolitan area.

2013: Chinese American Population in Boston

In 2013, over 27,000 Chinese Americans resided in Boston city proper.

2013: Red Sox Win Championship

In 2013, the Boston Red Sox won a championship.

2014: Super Bowl Win

Following the 2014 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2014: International Tourism in Boston

In 2014, Boston welcomed over 1.4 million international tourists (excluding those from Canada and Mexico), with the largest numbers coming from China and the United Kingdom.

2014: Religious Affiliations in Boston

In 2014, a Pew Research Center study revealed that 57% of Boston's population identified as Christian (25% Protestant, 29% Roman Catholic), 33% claimed no religious affiliation, and 10% adhered to other faiths.

2014: Update to Climate Action Plan

In 2014, an updated version of the climate action plan was released.

2014: Patriots Win Championship

In 2014, the New England Patriots won a championship.

2015: Jewish Population in the Boston Metro Area

In 2015, the Boston metro area had a Jewish population of approximately 248,000, with more than half of the Jewish households residing in the city, Brookline, Newton, Cambridge, Somerville, or adjacent towns.

2016: Super Bowl Win

Following the 2016 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2016: Household Car Ownership in Boston

In 2016, 33.8 percent of Boston households lacked a car, compared with the national average of 8.7 percent. The city averaged 0.94 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.

2016: Boston's Bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics

In 2016, Boston briefly shouldered a bid as the U.S. applicant for the 2024 Summer Olympics but was eventually dropped due to public opposition.

2016: General Electric Announces Move to Boston

In 2016, General Electric announced it would be moving its corporate headquarters from Connecticut to the Seaport District in Boston.

2016: American Community Survey Data Collection End

In 2016, data collection ended for the 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, which provided information on ancestry groups in Boston.

2016: Patriots Win Championship

In 2016, the New England Patriots won a championship.

2017: Establishment of Boston Uprising

In 2017, the Overwatch League (OWL)'s Boston Uprising was established. They were the first team to complete a perfect stage with 0 losses.

2018: Super Bowl Win

Following the 2018 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2018: Growth of Latino Populations in Greater Boston

In 2018, Greater Boston saw significant growth in its Dominican, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Mexican, and Colombian populations, with estimates indicating 150,000 Dominicans and 134,000 Puerto Ricans in the area.

2018: Red Sox and Patriots Win Championships

In 2018, both the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots won championships.

2018: Boston's Ranking in Global Financial Centres Index

In 2018, the Global Financial Centres Index ranked Boston as the 13th-most competitive financial services center globally and the second-most competitive in the United States.

April 2019: End of The Improper Bostonian Publication

In April 2019, The Improper Bostonian, a glossy lifestyle magazine, ended its publication.

July 21, 2019: Record Warm Daily Minimum

On July 21, 2019, the record warm daily minimum in Boston was 83 °F (28 °C).

September 2019: Launch of Boston Saves Program

In September 2019, Boston launched "Boston Saves", a program providing every kindergartner in the city with a $50 savings account for college or career training.

2019: Climate Action Plan Anticipates Sea-Level Rise

A 2019 climate action plan anticipates 2 ft (1 m) to more than 7 ft (2 m) of sea-level rise in Boston by the end of the 21st century.

2019: Update to Climate Action Plan

In 2019, an updated version of the climate action plan was released.

2020: Boston Population

As of the 2020 census, Boston had a population of 675,647, making it the third-most populous city in the Northeastern United States after New York City and Philadelphia.

March 2021: Kim Janey Becomes Acting Mayor

In March 2021, Kim Janey became the Acting Mayor of Boston following Marty Walsh's confirmation as Secretary of Labor.

November 2021: Michelle Wu Elected Mayor

In November 2021, Michelle Wu was elected as the new mayor of Boston.

2021: Boston Police Department Budget

In the fiscal 2021 budget, Boston allocated $414 million to the Boston Police Department, marking the second-largest allocation after Boston Public Schools.

2022: Crime Statistics in Boston

In 2022, Boston reported 3,955 violent crimes and 11,514 property crimes according to the Uniform Crime Reporting program. The city's violent crime rate was higher than both the Massachusetts and national rates, while its property crime rate was higher than the state rate but lower than the national rate.

February 4, 2023: Record Low Temperature

On February 4, 2023, the temperature in Boston dipped to −10 °F (−23 °C), the lowest since 1957.

2023: Boston as Biotechnology Hub

As of 2023, Boston emerged as a global leader in higher education and research, becoming the largest biotechnology hub in the world.

2023: Greater Boston Population

In 2023, the Greater Boston metropolitan statistical area had a population of 4.9 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in New England and the eleventh-largest in the United States.

2024: Boston Celtics win championship

As of 2024, Boston has won 40 championships across major North American professional sports leagues. In 2024, The Celtics won a championship.

2024: Walk Score Ranking of Boston

As of 2024, Walk Score ranks Boston as the third most walkable U.S. city, with a Walk Score of 83, a Transit Score of 72, and a Bike Score of 69.

2024: Mention of the 2024 Summer Olympics

In 2016, Boston briefly shouldered a bid as the U.S. applicant for the 2024 Summer Olympics but was eventually dropped due to public opposition. The USOC then selected Los Angeles to be the American candidate with Los Angeles ultimately securing the right to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.

2024: Fleet Walter Cup Finals Loss

In 2024, the Boston Fleet (then known as PWHL Boston) reached the Walter Cup finals during the inaugural PWHL playoffs, but lost to the Minnesota Frost (PWHL Minnesota at the time).

June 24, 2025: Last Recorded Instance of 100°F

The last recorded instance of 100°F (38°C) in Boston occurred on June 24, 2025.

2026: Boston to Host 2026 FIFA World Cup Matches

In 2016 it was announced that Boston is one of eleven U.S. cities which will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with games taking place at Gillette Stadium.

2028: Los Angeles Secures 2028 Summer Olympics

In 2016, the USOC then selected Los Angeles to be the American candidate with Los Angeles ultimately securing the right to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.